JANUARY 8, 2011 FRONT PAGE POLITICS BUSINESS MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD GREEN FOOD TRAVEL TECH LIVING HEALTH DIVORCE ARTS BOOKS RELIGION IMPACT EDUCATION COLLEGE NY LA CHICAGO DENVER BLOGS Michael Giltz Freelance writer and raconteur Posted: June 11, 2010 07:59 PM BIO Become a Fan Get Email Alerts Bloggers' Index 31 30 views 0 33Inspiring Funny Hot Scary Outrageous Amazing Weird CrazyBreaking Bad 's Bryan Cranston on Season Finale What's Your Reaction: Read More: Amc , Breaking Bad , Bryan Cranston , Crystal Meth , Dexter , Emmys , John Carter Of Mars , Mad Men , Malcolm In The Middle , The Wire.</p><p> TV Drama , Tom Hanks , Entertainment News The best show on TV? Right now, it's unquestionably Breaking Bad, the AMC drama about a high school chemistry teacher who starts cooking up crystal methwhen he discovers he has cancer and may not be ableto provide for his family.</p><p> The Season Three finale is Sunday night at 10 p.m. and actor Bryan Cranston is relishing the critical success of the series.</p><p> Not many actors have been in two hit TV shows (Cranston was an Emmy nominee of course for the groundbreaking sitcom Malcolm in the Middle ).</p><p> Even fewer have been in a hit sitcom and a hit drama.</p><p> But perhaps only Ed Asner (with The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Lou Grant ) has previously been in a sitcom and drama that were both so critically acclaimed.</p><p> For Cranston, who worked steadily for 20 years before finally getting his big break on Malcolm , they are literally the roles of a lifetime. "It was a stroke of luck - twice - so I'm just very fortunate and always recognize that fact," says the 54 year old actor. "Who knows where it's going to take me from here? This may be the lead line in my obituary and if it is, that's fine by me." MOST POPULAR ON HUFFPOSTBIG NEWS: Celebrity Skin | Jersey Shore | Ellen Degeneres | Celebrity Body | Energy Debates | More...</p><p> LOG IN | SIGN UP SHARE THIS STORY Get Entertainment Alerts Email Comments 33 More Dead Birds, Fish Found Across The World Comments (2,823) Camille Grammer's Porn Past Comes Back To Haunt Her Comments (932) Elizabeth Edwards' Will Revealed Comments (593) Intestinal Parasites May Be Causing Your Energy Slump Comments (169) Rudeness Is A Neurotoxin Comments (83) Should The Leader Of The Free World Dress Like THIS? Comments (540) BECK IN TROUBLE? Dropped From New York Radio Station, TV Ratings Fall Comments (5,741) John Edwards Spokesman Denies Rumored Proposal To Rielle Hunter Comments (2,587) Thousands Of Birds Found Dead In Italy For a man who emphasizes repeatedly that it all begins with the writing, he was clear before even landing the role that Breaking Bad was the perfect follow-up to the broad comedy of the hapless, fear-driven Hal. "I knew it when I read the script that it was going to be a special show," says Cranston. "I knew it.</p><p> I didn't know it was going to be successful; no one knows that.</p><p> But I knew it was going to be good." But Breaking Bad has likely exceeded even his expectations.</p><p> For two years in a row, Cranston has won the Emmy for Best Actor, winning out over Jon Hamm for AMC's Mad Men (winner of Best Drama of course), Michael C.</p><p> Hall for Dexter and numerous others (actors and shows he cites as examples of quality TV).</p><p> For years, Cranston wasn't even nominated for his work on Malcolm until its creator touted his work at the Emmys itself and he joked repeatedly about the empty shelf space reserved for his statues.</p><p> Now, that shelf space is filling up. "The standard line is that it's an honor just to be nominated," says Cranston. "That may be, but it's a lot more fun to win." And his career is a lot more fun, too.</p><p> Cranston has more than 100 credits on IMDB , but the wild success of Malcolm didn't bring him the added oomph he deserved to snag bigger and better roles in film. (When someone is good in a comedy, people say, "Oh, they're funny." When someone is good in a drama, they say, "Oh, they can act.") That's finally changed with Breaking Bad.</p><p> Cranston has a string of roles in prominent films, including Love Ranch (about the first legal brothel), a World War II film about the Tuskegee airmen overseen by George Lucas, the future summer blockbuster John Carter Of Mars (starring Taylor Kitsch of another great TV show, Friday Night Lights ) and Larry Crowne, which is written and directed and stars Tom Hanks, who has championed Cranston via projects like From The Earth To The Moon to Saving Private Ryan to That Thing You Do! "It's a dramedy and I am an author and the husband of Julia Roberts.</p><p> That's a nice role to have.</p><p> I can think of very few roles I'd rather have," says Cranston.</p><p> It's nice unless Larry Crowne (the Hankscharacter, an unemployed businessman who goes back to college) steals away your gal, right? "Well, when he's writing his own movie, he does have the tendency to make himself the star," jokes Cranston in mock indignation.</p><p> So the success and growing recognition is sweet.</p><p> But it wouldn't be so much fun if the show weren't so good.</p><p> It began with an outrageous, catchy premise: high school chem teacher turned drug dealer.</p><p> And forthree seasons, Breaking Bad has deepened that premise and crafted surprising people remarkably well, including Cranston and his drug addict sidekick Aaron Paul (rightly nominated for an Emmy as well last year for his exceptional work).</p><p> It was created by Vince Gilligan, a major contributor to The X-Files,including an episode called "Drive" back in 1998 that Cranston appeared in.</p><p> Every character -- from Cranston's accountant wife to his DEA brother-in-law to Giancarlo Esposito's chillingly self-possessed drug lord -- has become more and more fascinating.</p><p> And Cranston's Walter H.</p><p> White has grown from a man acting in desperation to a sometimes ruthless operator we're not even sure we should still like.</p><p> It's as if we met Tony Soprano before he became a gangster and watched his descent.</p><p> Here's a look at the first scene of the pilot episode. 1 of 5 Dylan Ratigan Free Market Fraud Sen.</p><p> Jon Tester Tester Pushes to Reform Senate Rules With Greater Transparency, EfficiencyDON'T MISS HUFFPOST BLOGGERS HOT TRENDS camille grammer lady gaga natalie portman pregnant raven- symone rebecca budig More Celebrity News at People.com More Celebrity News at Popeater.com Comments (3,195) History Channel Won't Show Katie Holmes Miniseries The Kennedys READ MORE Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo to Guest Star on Hawaii Five-0 READ MORE Lindsay Lohan's Post- Rehab Gift: a $25,000 Necklace READ MORE Lea Michele's Diva Behavior Strikes Again Petra Nemcova Engaged to British Actor Stephanie Seymour Caught Kissing Her Son?Cranston loves the ambiguity of the show and even questions my suggestion that the premise was outrageous. "I don't know if the premise is that outlandish," he says. "We see examples of this in the news all the time.</p><p> How many times do we see a news report where the neighbor went berserk and kills? And theneighbor says, 'He was so quiet and nice and I can't believe it.</p><p> He's the last person I would expect to be a counterfeiter' or whatever. "I think we assume -- because of how most people live their lives -- we assume that everyone else is pretty much the same.</p><p> We have no idea what goes on behind closed doors.</p><p> And that's what is really interesting and intriguing about the whole thing." And viewers have no idea week to week what to expect on Breaking Bad.</p><p> One outstanding episode this season, "Fly," featured almost nothing but Cranston and Paul in a meth lab trying to kill a fly that had snuck into their room.</p><p> It was bold and unconventional but also wildly suspenseful as we wonderedwhether Cranston's character would spill the beans about a secret that was haunting him.</p><p> His wife (Anna Gunn of Deadwood ) has gone from an unsuspecting spouse to a woman determined to divorce him to now pushing to take over the accounting so he doesn't get caught laundering money. "I was really happy to see this season Anna Gunn's character really be fleshed out and realized," says Cranston. "It pointed out to me how important her character is to the anchor of this show.</p><p> We all try to function as the foundation of Breaking Bad. " Then of course there's Cranston himself, who has relished moments like confronting a drug dealer trying to horn in on his territory to the scene where his wife spins an elaborate lie (a funny scene given weight when he asks her where she came up with it and she responds stingingly that she learned from the best) to a show-stopping moment last season where he watches a young woman die.</p><p> Wasn't it exciting to dothat, as an actor? "Yes and at the same time it's horrifying," says Cranston. "I look at this little girl who is dying and you can't help but personalize it and I think of my daughter dying and that's when it brought me to tears and shame and regret and finally acceptance.</p><p> I just went through so many emotions at that point and the final one is 'move on, let it go.'" But one of the hallmarks of the show is consequences.</p><p> You can't just move on from your bad actions because every deed has repercussions.</p><p> Every single one.</p><p> Every lie, every cover-up, every attempt toappease one person rebounds in painful and unexpected ways.</p><p> It's brilliant and funny and moving andCranston understands perfectly when I say I want the series to end soon.</p><p> Not because the show is close to running out of creativity, but just the opposite: the only thing harder than creating a great TV show is ending it well.</p><p> Very few TV shows manage to do it.</p><p> But the people on Breaking Bad seem keen to accomplish that feat.</p><p> Creator Gilligan initially said he imagined the show should end at four seasons.</p><p> But since the first season was only seven episodes long, he can be excused for not sticking to that target.</p><p> Cranston supports the idea 100 percent when I say five seasons and out. "I think it's going to be something like that.</p><p> I really do," says Cranston, who mentions that season four won't begin filming until January of 2011 and may air during the summer. "All of us have expressed aninterest in protecting the integrity of the show and the rule that we established that here's a man who is going to be dead within a year and a half to two years.</p><p> And I can pretty much guarantee and I amTOP VIDEO PICKS Kourtney K.'s Stunning Bikini Bod Jane Krakowski RevealsBaby Bump Bristol Palin's New RadioGig? 1 of 8 MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW HOT ON FACEBOOK HOT ON TWITTER Death & Dying CPAC Katie Holmes Harry Reid Wikileaks Pollster CES 2011 Twitter LA RestaurantsHUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES Natalie Portman: I Was 'Barely Eating' During 'Black Swan' 368 Comments PHOTOS: Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi's Exotic Vacation 186 Comments PHOTOS: Raven- Symone's Dramatic Weight Loss 479 Comments Camille Grammer's Porn Past Comes Back To Haunt Her 938 Comments Beastie Boys Rapper Beats Cancer 84 Comments Ashton Kutcher: Training, Paranoid About Real Life 'End Of Days' 903 CommentsComments 33 Pending Comments 0View FAQ 656 Fans 37 Fans Camille Grammer's Porn Past Comes Back To...</p><p> Olivia Wilde Dons See-Through Bikini (PHOTOS) Raven-Symone Shows Off Dramatic Weight Loss, Talks...</p><p> Natalie Portman: I Was 'Barely Eating' During...honestly telling you this because I don't know how it's going to end and I haven't asked [Vince Gilligan] and I don't want to know, it will probably end with me dying in some way, to stay true.</p><p> I would certainly think that is the way to go. "I think there are enough stories to tell and enough time before the complete transformation of this character and others to tell this story in five seasons.</p><p> I think it's legitimate without overstaying ourwelcome.</p><p> Beyond five, possibly six but no more than that.</p><p> Then there's the sense of commerce; you want to be good to the people who pay you to be here and that's AMC and Sony.</p><p> There will be discussions as towhen we should let it go.</p><p> I think Vince and I would convince them it's time to let go so that we can assure that we can look back and be proud of all the seasons that we did as a journey and needing all of them and not stay a moment longer than we should." If you're already watching Breaking Bad , you are certainly primed for the season finale.</p><p> If you haven't watched the show, you've got 33 terrific episodes to dive into.</p><p> You can Netflix or purchase seasons one and two on DVD and purchase season three on iTunes or wait for it to come out later. (It's not on Hulu yet.) With all the ways of watching TV, you never have to feel a serialized drama has passed you by.</p><p> Don't let this one: it ranks with The Wire as an absolute peak of TV drama from the past 10 years.</p><p> Thanks for reading.</p><p> Visit Michael Giltz at his website and his daily blog.</p><p> Download his podcast of celebrity interviews and his radio show at Popsurfing and enjoy the weekly pop culture podcast he co- hosts at Showbiz Sandbox .</p><p> Both available for free on iTunes.</p><p> Link to him on Netflix and gain access to thousands of ratings and reviews.</p><p> Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltz More in Entertainment...</p><p> Already can't wait until next season..</p><p> Best Show on TV.. well.. at least there is True Blood to tide me over..</p><p> This is a must see show.</p><p> Every episode is amazingly written and acted, I can not wait to see what happens next.</p><p> I don't know how I am going to wait until next Summer to see the next season.</p><p> My only problem with the show (if you can call it that) is that every time I tell some one about the premise of the show, no one seems to want to give it a chance, they hear the word meth and that'sit.</p><p> They don't know what they are missing out on.MORE BIG NEWS PAGES » FOLLOW HUFFINGTON POST Recency | Popularity Page: 1 2 Next › Last » (2 total) HUFFPOST SUPER USER TequilaMockingbird 07:31 PM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it Indiegirl99 04:43 PM on 6/14/2010Comments are closed for this entry View All Favorites 13 Fans 6 Fans Follow 184 Fans 1 Fans 58 Fans 1 FansDid I see that right? Next season won't start until NEXT SUMMER? If there is a problem with this show its the LOOOONNNGG G wait times for the next season to start...</p><p> I know, but if it keeps the show on, I can wait.</p><p> At least it isn't 18 months like The Sopranos was getting to be.</p><p> I read that each show cost $3 million to shoot.</p><p> On location.</p><p> Timemagazine just had a good article about it.</p><p> Looking forward to Rubicon, and other shows in between (True Blood, Drop Dead Diva, etc.).</p><p> No Mad Men.</p><p> Haven't seen the full finale, but the first 15-20 minutes were great.</p><p> Loved that they showed Skyler and Walt moving into their house.</p><p> Ditto to momca54's comment about Bryan Cranston.</p><p> It has been fascinatin g to watch Walter's transforma tion.</p><p> Brian Cranston has made a memorable character and deserves every acolade he has recieved.</p><p> I would like to thank Mr.</p><p> Cranston for his outstandin g work on Breaking Bad.</p><p> I have been a fan of this show from season 1, episode 1.</p><p> Excellent work.</p><p> Keep up the good work Mr.</p><p> Cranston.</p><p> By the way, Malcolm in the middle was anything but groundbrea king.</p><p> It was the carbon copy of a groundbrea king original "Married with Children " Thanks.</p><p> Please don't forget that the show is also on Blu-ray, and support getting more dramas in that format, the show looks and sounds amazing in high def Breaking Bad is the best thing on TV.</p><p> It forces people to think about morality in a way that no other show does.</p><p> This strikes home when you realize that you are rooting for, and empathize with a methdealer.</p><p> The world of meth isn't sanitized, and the characters that Cranston and Paul deal with arevery true to real life.</p><p> It brings back feelings that I haven't felt for 20 odd years, from fear to theexhilarati ng nose burn, you just have to trust me on that.</p><p> The fact that you can go from laughing to cringing in an hour and feel the need for a shower after is only possible, because of great writingand acting.</p><p> I do agree with others about the authors oversight of Aaron Paul, who is fantastic asPermalink | Share it aaaarrrggg 01:35 PM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it kiki800 04:54 PM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it HUFFPOST SUPER USER momcat54 01:08 PM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it aquaman2008 10:53 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it Wickywoo 10:21 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it Carpenterpoetzz 10:09 AM on 6/14/201059 Fans 174 Fans 174 Fans 58 Fans 0 Fans 28 Fans 287 Fans Jesse Pinkman.</p><p> I can't say enough good things about this show, and while I'll be sad to see it go, I am glad to hear that the plan is to have it come to final conclusion while it is still strong.</p><p> I agree Aaron Paul is fantastic, as is the entire cast.</p><p> I actually had more in but cut it because the post was so long.</p><p> I unintentio nally cut out my first reference to Aaron, which is why he's just referred to as "Paul" towards the bottom.</p><p> My initial ref to him did indeed rave and I'm gonna put it back in to clarify who I'm referring to.</p><p> I'd love to profile him too, but thepiece was focused on Cranston.</p><p> I describe to the ignorant, that Breaking Bad is a cross between McGyver and The Sopranos.</p><p> Breaking Bad rocks, blue rocks.</p><p> The finale was great, can't wait for next season! This is a wonderful opinion.</p><p> The things mentioned are great and needs to be appreciate d by everyone..</p><p> Budget Travel This show is ridiculous ly good.</p><p> It's truly great art.</p><p> I picked up on this show about 1/3 the way into the first season.</p><p> I still have not seen the first 3 episodes and that will soon change.</p><p> I can say this about the show and real life; in real life younever know what the unintended consequenc es might be, while in the show, you often see what they can be.</p><p> Great Show, great acting, only one problem.</p><p> What the receipe for the Blue Crystal? Just kidding.Permalink | Share it HUFFPOST BLOGGER Michael Giltz 09:15 PM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it john frodo 10:02 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it john frodo 10:00 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it deezus 09:05 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it andrewwalker 06:28 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it HUFFPOST SUPER USER Duke1225 03:59 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it gypsysailor 02:35 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it91 Fans 91 Fans>>>>Cranst on has a string of roles in prominent films, including Love Ranch (about the first legal brothel), a World War II film about the Tuskegee airmen overseen by George Lucas, the future summer blockbuste r John Carter Of Mars (starring Taylor Kitsch of another great TV show, Friday Night Lights) and Larry Crowne, which is written and directed and stars Tom Hanks, who haschampioned Cranston via projects like From The Earth To The Moon to Saving Private Ryan to ThatThing You Do! Then of course there was his Seinfeld bit - as Dr.</p><p> Tim Whatley.</p><p> Man that was funny!! Breaking Bad is amazing.</p><p> Every season has been a wow.</p><p> Brilliant! FRONT PAGE POLITICS BUSINESS MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD GREEN FOOD TRAVEL TECH LIVING HEALTH DIVORCE ARTS BOOKS RELIGION IMPACT EDUCATION COLLEGE NY LA CHICAGO DENVER BLOGS Advertise | Log In | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ | Contact Us User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type Copyright © 2011 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | "The Huffington Post" is a registered trademark of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.</p><p> All rights reserved.</p><p> EvenThen 12:22 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it EvenThen 12:15 AM on 6/14/2010 Permalink | Share it Page: 1 2 Next › Last » (2 total)
